United Nations, Muharram 12, 1438, Oct 13, 2016, SPA -- The world will not forgive leaders gathered in Rwanda this week if they fail to support a proposed agreement to cut greenhouse gases, a top U.N. official said Thursday, calling the environmental deal an easy one to achieve. Representatives from about 150 countries heard the appeal as they opened negotiations on an agreement to phase down the use of factory-made hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases, which are used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosols. “No one, frankly, will forgive you if you cannot find a compromise at this conference,” U.N. Environmental Program (UNEP) Director Erik Solheim told the opening session in Kigali. “This is one of the cheapest, one of the easiest … in the entire arsenal of climate mediation.” Scientists say a quick reduction of HFCs could sharply slow climate change, avoiding perhaps 0.5 degree Celsius of a projected rise in average temperatures by 2100. Solheim said failure to act would contribute to more extreme droughts and stronger storms of the type that hit Haiti last week, killing about 1,000 people. “Expect more of this extreme weather if we don’t fight against climate change,” he said. Among developing countries, India has seen the greatest pressure to sign an agreement. It wants poor countries to be allowed to peak their HFC emissions in 2031 to avoid hurting growing industries. The Kigali talks are part of the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which helped protect and regenerate the ozone layer by cutting the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The layer shields the planet from ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer. --SPA 19:34 LOCAL TIME 16:34 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w